Doctors strike looms over medical interns salary

Payment of intern medical doctors is likely to result in a nationwide strike if remuneration is not streamlined as per the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The next cohort of medical interns is due for posting on July 1. But the amount to be paid is yet to be agreed on by the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC), Ministry of Health and doctors is yet to be agreed on.

Health Cabinet Secretary Adan Duale told the Senate Committee on Health chaired by Vice chairperson Senator Mariam Sheikh Omar that doctors under the umbrella of Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) want the medical intern doctors paid Sh206,000.

But the SRC has advised payment of Sh70,000.

“The bone of contention is Sh206,000. The ones finishing July are earning Sh206,000,” Duale told the Senate Committee on Health.

The CS added, “We have to be cognisant of our fiscal capability. SRC has given Sh70,000, budget making is a function of Parliament. SRC is a constitutional body, they are not foreigners, they're Kenyans.”

Despite the hard stand by doctors union, Duale assured the committee and doctors that the Ministry is having consultation meeting with all stakeholders to reach a consensus to avoid delayed posting ting and anticipated strikes as it was witnessed in 2024.

He said he is having a consultation with President William Ruto and The National Treasury to solve the payment of Sh206,000 as per the 2017 CBA, saying he was confident that the matter will be solved sooner to avert strikes.

“Unions are Kenyans, they want discussion. If we talk to each other, we will find solutions. We have discussed Universal Health Coverage between me and the Council of Governors, and we have reached a milestone, and want to consult The National Treasury and Presidency. We shall reach somewhere,” said the CS.

The Health CS appeared before the committee after KMPDU petitioned the Senate about the 2017 CA implementation and payment of intern salaries as per the CBA, to avert the strike anticipated in July, if the matter is unresolved.

“We shall have a siting with them. I am doing consultation on how much we can pay, 206,000,” said Duale who was hard-pressed by doctors to give clarity on the payment of medical intern issue.

KMPDU representative led by Secretary General Dr Davji Attellah told the committee that the 2017 CBA is yet to fully be implemented, and must fully be implemented prior to negotiation of a new CBA.

Duale said the ministry has successfully posted all health professional graduates requiring mandatory internship annually up to Financial year 2024/25 where about 3, 947 interns will be complete their internship by July 2025.

The next cohort of interns will be posted in July/August 2025 comprising medical interns 1,055, dental interns (52), pharmacists (502), nursing interns (1,000) diploma clinical officers interns (1,579) and degree clinical officer interns (469).